Ill. report alleges discrimination at German firm
Illinois’ human rights department says it’s found substantial evidence of discrimination at the Chicago office of a German industrial conglomerate.
A former employee who is African-American has alleged a pattern of discrimination and racially insensitive comments when he worked at ThyssenKrupp. The firm denies any wrongdoing.
The finding by the Illinois Department of Human Rights paves the way for Montrelle Reese to file a lawsuit against the company. He plans to seek more than $250,000 in damages.
Reese was a sales representative at ThyssenKrupp Elevator in Chicago from November 2007 to January 2010. He says a “non-black” co-worker performed a skit in blackface at a regional conference in 2009 and that his white co-workers refused to travel to black neighborhoods alone, making disparaging comments about crime, drugs and prostitutes.
He also says a white supervisor referred to black people as “colored” and used the n-word.
Brian Jackson, an attorney for the company, tells the Chicago Sun-Times that there was “no discrimination...whatsoever.”
“This company is no different from any other company,” Jackson said. “It’s a good place to work that has a good working relationship with its employees.”
Stephen Potts, an attorney for Reese, said the allegations raise questions about how the company is being run.
“It’s one person making a complaint. But, it shows an atmosphere perpetuated and accepted by the company,” Potts said.
ThyssenKrupp has companies that manufacture products ranging from steel and automotive parts to elevators and cement plants. The company has 1,400 employees in Illinois — including more than 900 in Danville.
At an event attended by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, ThyssenKrupp announced plans to open its North American headquarters in the city.
A spokesman for Emanuel said the city has “zero tolerance for prejudice.”
“Behavior of the sort alleged in the complaint has absolutely no place in the city of Chicago or anywhere,” the spokesman said.